The TAP conference promotes research in verification and formalmethods that targets the interplay of proofs and testing: theadvancement of techniques of each kind and their combination, with theultimate goal of improving software and system dependability.

Research in verification has recently seen a steady convergence ofheterogeneous techniques and a synergy between the traditionallydistinct areas of testing (and dynamic analysis) and of proving (andstatic analysis). Formal techniques, such as model checking, thatproduce counterexamples when verification fails are a clear example ofthe duality of testing and proving. The combination of statictechniques such as satisfiability modulo theory and predicateabstraction has provided means of proving correctness by complementingexhaustive enumeration testing-like techniques. More practically,testing supports the cost-effective debugging of complex models andformal specifications, and is applicable in conditions that are beyondthe reach of formal techniques -- for example, components whose sourcecode is not accessible. Testing and proving are increasingly seen ascomplementary rather than mutually exclusive techniques.

The TAP conference aims to promote research in the intersection oftesting and proving by bringing together researchers and practitionersfrom both areas of verification.

Topics of Interest------------------

TAP's scope encompasses many aspects of verification technology,including foundational work, tool development, and empiricalresearch. Its topics of interest center around the connection betweenproofs (and other static techniques) and testing (and other dynamictechniques). Papers are solicited on, but not limited to, thefollowing topics:

In addition to TAP’s general topics of interests, the 11th edition ofTAP will feature two highlight topics on techniques, tools, andexperience reports on

1. Testing and proving the correctness of security properties and implementations of cryptographic functions and protocols with a focus on the successful interplay of tests and proofs, and

2. Asserting the correct functioning and testing of verification tools, especially on theorem provers, that form the basis of many verification results for tools and applications our society increasingly depends on.

Submission Instructions-----------------------

TAP 2017 accepts papers of three kinds:

- Regular research papers: full submissions describing originalresearch, of up to 16 pages (excluding references).

- Tool demonstration papers: submissions describing the design andimplementation of an analysis/verification tool or framework, of upto 8 pages (excluding references). The tool/framework described ina tool demonstration paper should be available for public use.